stayc main image

Rihanna's Fresh Start with 'R9': A Journey of Rediscovery

June 20, 2024

Rihanna's journey towards her ninth studio album, affectionately dubbed ‘R9’, has been a long and winding road. At the launch party for her new Fenty Hair line, she opened up about the delay...

Read more
stayc main image

Eminem Faces Backlash Over Lyrics in New Song "Houdini"

June 20, 2024

Eminem has stirred controversy with his latest single "Houdini," which includes a line that many believe makes light of the 2020 incident where Megan Thee Stallion was shot. In the song, Eminem...

Read more
stayc main image

Camila Cabello Unveils Album with Double Dose of Drake

June 19, 2024

In an exciting revelation, pop sensation Camila Cabello has shared that her upcoming album, C,XOXO, will feature not one, but two collaborations with the legendary Drake. Speaking to Billboard...

Read more
stayc main image

Liz Lawrence's New Album 'Peanuts': A Sonic Rallying Cry for Community and Connection

June 19, 2024

Liz Lawrence has always enriched her songwriting by absorbing the influence of various art forms, and her latest album, Peanuts, set for release on June 7th, exemplifies this approach. An artist...

Read more
stayc main image

From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Sara Evans' Journey of Reconciliation and Renewal

June 19, 2024

Sara Evans, the acclaimed country music artist known for her captivating voice and heartfelt lyrics, is back with a new album that promises to resonate deeply with fans. "Unbroke," her latest...

Read more
stayc main image

Meghan Trainor: Celebrating a Decade with 'Timeless'

June 19, 2024

Ten years ago, Meghan Trainor burst onto the music scene with her smash hit "All About That Bass," a song that not only showcased her unique blend of doo-wop and contemporary pop but also became an...

Read more
stayc main image

Eminem's "When I'm Gone" Hits One Billion Views: A Milestone in YouTube History

June 19, 2024

Eminem's iconic music video for "When I'm Gone" has officially reached one billion views on YouTube, marking a monumental achievement for the rapper and solidifying its status as one of his most...

Read more
stayc main image

A.R. Rahman: The Maestro of Modern Indian Music

June 19, 2024

Allah Rakha Rahman, known globally as A.R. Rahman, is synonymous with musical genius and innovation. Born on January 6, 1967, in Chennai, India, Rahman's journey from a child prodigy to an...

Read more
stayc main image

Eventbrite Study Reveals Shift in Ticket-Buying Trends Among Music Fans

June 19, 2024

A recent study by Eventbrite has uncovered a notable shift in the behaviour of music fans, who are now purchasing concert tickets later than ever before. This trend was a key topic of discussion at...

Read more
stayc main image

Why are female artists underplayed on Canadian radio?

June 19, 2024

A new University of Ottawa study has revealed a stark disparity in the airplay of music by women, particularly racialized and trans artists, on commercial Canadian radio over the past decade...

Read more
stayc main image

Thousands of Swifties made 'unbelievable impact' on Edinburgh

June 19, 2024

Taylor Swift’s billion-dollar Eras Tour recently graced Edinburgh, bringing a flood of enthusiastic Swifties to the city and creating an exceptional boom for local businesses. Tens of thousands of...

Read more
stayc main image

Amazon Music Livestream: Showcasing Kendrick Lamar in "The Pop Out — Ken & Friends"

June 19, 2024

Amazon Music is set to enhance its live streaming offerings with an exciting event: "The Pop Out — Ken & Friends," featuring the acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar. Scheduled for Juneteenth in...

Read more

Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

stayc main image

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel too loud or muddy. It can be frustrating when you've nailed the mids and highs but can't seem to get the bass frequencies to sit just right. If you're wondering how to properly compress the low end for a tighter mix, you're not alone.

In this article, we'll dive into how to compress the low end effectively and explore an example of a famous producer who overcame similar challenges.

Understanding the Low End

Before jumping into compression, it's important to understand why the low end can be so tricky. Low-frequency sounds, like bass guitars, kick drums, and synths, tend to have more energy, which can make them difficult to control in a mix. The human ear is also less sensitive to low frequencies, which can cause producers to initially perceive the low end as balanced, only to find it overwhelming after repeated listens.

The key to controlling the low end lies in compression. Compression helps smooth out the dynamic range, ensuring that the bass elements don't overpower the rest of the track while still retaining their punch.

How to Compress the Low End

Here are some steps to compress your low end effectively:

  1. Use a Multiband Compressor: A multiband compressor allows you to target only the low frequencies without affecting the rest of the track. This helps control the low end while leaving the mids and highs untouched.
  2. Set the Right Threshold: Start by adjusting the threshold so that the compressor only kicks in when the low end becomes too loud. You want the compression to be subtle, so avoid over-compressing, as this can rob your track of its energy.
  3. Adjust the Ratio: A compression ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 is a good starting point for low-end compression. This will help tame the low frequencies without squashing them completely.
  4. Attack and Release: Set the attack time fast enough to catch any transient peaks in the bass but not so fast that it kills the punch of your low end. Release should be slow enough to avoid pumping but fast enough to recover between notes.
  5. Sidechain Compression: Another technique is sidechain compression, where the bass is compressed when other elements, like the kick, are playing. This helps the kick cut through the mix without clashing with the bass.

Example: Skrillex and the Low End

Electronic music producer Skrillex faced similar low-end issues early in his career. His mixes would sound great in the studio but would translate poorly on other systems, with the low end either being too dominant or not cutting through. After trial and error, he mastered the art of compressing the low end, often using a combination of multiband compression and sidechaining to keep the bass powerful yet controlled.

In his track "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites," for instance, Skrillex uses multiband compression to ensure the sub-bass sits tightly in the mix without overshadowing the mids and highs. He also uses sidechain compression to create that signature "pumping" effect, giving the track its rhythmic drive while keeping the low end in check.

Final Tips

  • Check Your Mix on Different Systems: The low end can sound very different depending on the playback system (studio monitors, headphones, car speakers). Always test your mix on multiple devices to ensure the bass translates well across platforms.
  • Use Reference Tracks: Compare your mix to professionally mastered songs with a similar sound. This can help you gauge if your low end is sitting right in the mix.
  • Don’t Rely Solely on Compression: Sometimes, EQ adjustments can also help tame the low end without needing heavy compression. Cutting unnecessary sub-bass frequencies can often clean up your mix.

Conclusion

Mastering the low end is a challenge for many producers, but with the right compression techniques and some trial and error, you can achieve a well-balanced, professional-sounding mix. If producers like Skrillex can overcome this hurdle, so can you! Remember, it's all about finding the sweet spot where the bass is controlled yet impactful, allowing all the elements in your track to shine.